Telegram founder Pavel Durov is now under formal investigation in France, with bail set at $5.56 million (5 million euros), according to a statement released by a French prosecutor on Wednesday night. Durov, a Russian-born billionaire, faces several allegations, including complicity in illegal gang activities, “laundering of crimes in an organized gang,” and failure to provide information to authorities.
As part of the investigation, Durov has been placed under judicial supervision and is prohibited from leaving France. He is required to report to a French police station twice a week. The formal investigation, which follows his release from police custody earlier in the day, indicates that prosecutors believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant a thorough inquiry, though Durov has not yet been formally charged.
The charges stem from allegations that Telegram, the messaging platform Durov founded, has been used for illegal transactions and other criminal activities, including fraud, drug trafficking, and child exploitation. The French National Office for Minors has also criticized Telegram for its lack of response to court requests regarding offenses such as trafficking, online hate speech, and pedophilia.
Durov was detained at Paris’s Bourget Airport on Saturday under a warrant related to concerns about Telegram’s content moderation. He faced up to 96 hours in custody—the maximum period under French law—before being transferred to court for questioning. The investigation could lead to serious charges, including a maximum prison sentence of 10 years for complicity in facilitating illegal transactions by organized gangs.
Telegram has been under scrutiny for its role in enabling communication among terrorist groups, far-right extremists, and other criminal entities. Despite the platform’s popularity, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, where it has become essential for communication during Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine, concerns have grown over its use for illicit activities.
Russia has criticized France’s detention of Durov, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accusing the French government of violating international norms related to freedom of speech. The Kremlin has also attempted to reassure Russian users about the app’s future, despite growing calls for users to delete sensitive messages.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation on Monday, emphasizing that the decision to investigate Durov was “in no way political,” marking a rare intervention by a French leader in judicial matters.
Telegram, launched in 2013 by Durov and his brother Nikolai, now has over 950 million users worldwide, making it one of the most widely used messaging platforms. The app’s encryption features have made it a favorite among free speech advocates, but have also attracted criticism for providing a safe haven for those engaged in criminal activities.
Durov, often referred to as the “Mark Zuckerberg of Russia,” left the country in 2014 and now resides in Dubai, where Telegram is headquartered. He holds French citizenship and is estimated to be worth $9.15 billion, according to Bloomberg.
Despite the challenges, Durov has consistently defended the app’s commitment to privacy and security. “You cannot make it safe against criminals and open for governments,” Durov told CNN in 2016. “It’s either secure or not secure.”
